FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2020
BUTTE COUNTY ANNOUNCES JULY 21, 2020 BUDGET HEARING
Oroville, Calif.-- The Butte County Board of Supervisors will hold a Budget Hearing on July 21, 2020 at 10:30am. The Recommended Budget, as well as the staff report with recommended adjustments to the Budget, can be found at www.buttecounty.net/countybudget. The recommended adjustments to the Budget include revenue reductions related to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as adjustments related to the State budget. The recommended adjustments also include updated information on grants, purchases, and other items.  
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and consistent with the State’s orders and guidance, Board of Supervisors Meetings are closed to the public; however, the public is encouraged to participate remotely by livestreaming the meeting at www.buttecounty.net/clerkoftheboard/boardmeetings. 
Upon publication of the agenda, the public can submit comments prior to the meeting (through 4:00 pm on Monday, July 20, 2020) through the County’s eComment feature (buttecounty.granicusideas.com/meetings); via email to ClerkoftheBoard@ButteCounty.net, via voicemail at (530) 552.3303, or via U.S. Mail to 25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, ATTN: Clerk of the Board, Oroville, California 95965.  
The public can submit comments during the meeting via email to ClerkoftheBoard@ButteCounty.net. There will be a recess of 30 minutes after the staff presentation to provide time for the public to comment electronically. When submitting a comment, please indicate the item your comment relates to in the subject line.  
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 09, 2020


BUTTE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
ANNOUNCES THE START OF THE MIDWAY ROAD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

Butte County, Calif. – The Midway Road Bridge Replacement Project across Butte Creek and Butte Creek Overflow, located approximately 3 miles south of Durham, is scheduled to begin July 21, 2020.  The contract for this project has been awarded to MCM Construction Inc. of North Highlands, CA in the amount of $19,600,643.50.  This project is funded by a combination of Federal Highway Bridge Program Funds and Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Act (RMRA Gas Tax) funds.  The estimated completion date is December 31, 2021.  These dates may be subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors.

The project will replace two existing bridges originally constructed in 1915 and 1918 with a new 1,404 foot long highway bridge and adjacent approach roadway on the Midway spanning both Butte Creek and the Butte Creek Overflow channel.  

The project will construct the new bridge on the existing alignment and will necessitate a full closure of the Midway to all traffic – including pedestrians, bicycles, autos and emergency vehicles until the new bridge is complete.  A detour will be provided for through traffic. Additional information regarding this project is available at www.buttecounty.net/publicworks.

Both private contractors and public works staff continue to work during the COVID-19 Emergency, as both are considered “Essential Workforce Jobs”, per state guidance.  More information on this project can be obtained by calling Butte County Public Works at 530.538.7681.

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COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS BEGIN FOR PARTICIPANTS OF THE CAMP FIRE PRIVATE HAZARD TREE REMOVAL PROGRAM

Butte County, Calif.— Property owners who removed their own Hazard trees and enrolled in the private program for Butte County/Town of Paradise to verify compliance are now one step closer to completing the Hazard Tree Removal Program. The County and Town are currently reaching out to property owners to schedule Compliance Inspection appointments. 

Through the Right of Entry process, property owners have provided the County/Town permission to access their property and confirm compliance. In some cases, property owners may be interested in accompanying the inspector during the inspection. The County/Town will make three attempts to contact the property owner and arrange a day that works for them to complete the inspection.   Many property owners are not in the area and do not wish to accompany the inspector.  Property owners are not required to be present during the inspection. 

Arborists contracted with Butte County and the Town of Paradise will visit properties enrolled in the Private Hazard Tree Removal Program to verify that any and all Hazard Trees that pose a danger of falling onto a public or eligible private road have been removed from the property. Once a Compliance Inspection is completed and Arborists have verified that Hazard Trees have been removed from a property, a letter of completion will be issued to the property owner. 

Property owners enrolled in the Private Hazard Tree Removal Program are encouraged to contact the Tree Removal ROE Center at 530.552.3030 to make an appointment for a Compliance Inspection. Compliance Inspections will take place Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 

Property Owners who have not yet enrolled in a Hazard Tree Removal program are strongly encouraged to promptly enroll in either the Government Hazard Tree Removal Program or the Private Hazard Tree Removal program. Tree Removal Program information is available at https://buttecountyrecovers.org/private-property-tree-removal/. Property owners with questions or who need assistance enrolling in a program should call the Hazard Tree Removal ROE center at 530.552.3030.

Arborists conducting Compliance Inspections will only need access to outside areas of a property, and will follow all COVID-19 guidelines.  CalTLC Arborists contracted with Butte County will be wearing yellow vests with the CalTLC logo and will be driving vehicles with CalTLC signage. Tetra Tech Arborists contracted with the Town of Paradise will be wearing blue vests with the Tetra Tech logo and will be driving vehicles with Tetra Tech signage. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2020

BUTTE COUNTY LIBRARY WILL OPEN FOR LIMITED SERVICES BEGINNING JULY 7, 2020

Butte County, Calif.— Beginning Tuesday, July 7, 2020, Butte County Library branches will be open for limited services. Library patrons will be able to visit the library to return and pick up items, in addition to browsing library shelves and borrowing items. 

Beginning July 7, 2020, Butte County Library branch hours are as follows: 
• Biggs Branch: Tuesday Noon-6PM and Saturday 10AM-4PM
• Chico Branch: Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-4PM
• Durham Branch: Tuesday-Wednesday Noon-6PM, Thursday-Friday 10AM-5PM
• Gridley Branch: Tuesday-Wednesday Noon-6PM, Thursday and Saturday 10AM-4PM
• Oroville Branch: Tuesday-Saturday 10AM-4PM
• Paradise Branch: Tuesday and Thursday 1PM-6PM, and Saturday 11AM-4PM

To comply with COVID-19 reopening guidelines, and for the safety of library staff and patrons, social distancing measures will be in place. Library patrons are requested to wear face coverings, in accordance with California Department of Public Health face covering guidance, and will be requested to keep their library visit to 30 minutes or less. Computer facilities, sitting tables and chairs, and in person programs remain suspended until further notice. 

Butte County Library e-resources are available 24/7. Register for a library e-card to access the online library.  Butte County Library staff members are available by phone at 530.552.5652, Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM-5PM. Library programs and online services are available on the Butte County Library website and Facebook page. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2020

BUTTE COUNTY SUPPORTS FACE COVERING REQUIREMENT,
ASKING FOR VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE


BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued guidance for the use of face coverings on June 18, 2020 that mandates everyone in California wear face coverings in high-risk settings, which include: 
• In any indoor public space
• When waiting in line
• When getting health care
• On public transportation or when ride-sharing
• At work, when moving through common areas such as hallways
• At work, when sharing common areas or a room or enclosed area with others (unless you are required to wear a surgical mask or respirator)
• While outdoors in public spaces, if you can’t stay at least 6 feet away from others
Butte County supports the use of face coverings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the Board of Supervisors, Sheriff Kory Honea, CAO Shari McCracken, and Public Health Director Danette York encourage residents to follow the State’s guidance.

While the State mandates that people in California wear face coverings, it does not provide specific information about enforcement. The State continues to rely on the public’s voluntary compliance throughout its response to COVID-19.

The County encourages residents to comply with the State’s guidance and asks for voluntary compliance. Citing or arresting people for not wearing a face covering, who do not have lab-confirmed COVID-19, is not practical or possible given limited local resources.

Businesses are responsible for reviewing the State’s orders and guidelines regularly. If you visit a business and feel they are not in compliance, you may choose not to do business with them. Your choice of where you spend your money is one of the strongest enforcement tools available.

Additionally, there are a number of exemptions to the State’s guidance and one can never know what applies to a specific individual. If you see people in public who are not wearing a face covering you cannot assume they are being non-compliant.
 
A growing body of scientific research has shown that people with no or few symptoms of COVID-19 can still spread the disease and that the use of face coverings, combined with physical distancing and frequent hand washing, will reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

Residents should continue to take prevention actions to stop and slow the spread of COVID-19, including:
• Wash your hands often
• Maintain social distancing of at least six feet
• Stay home if you are sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Limit non-essential travel
• Avoid gatherings
• Avoid sick people
• Wear a face covering when in high-risk settings
 
For businesses in Butte County, the CDPH face covering guidance appears to give direction requiring customers to wear a face covering when entering a business. Businesses may enact this requirement, but must allo